Howdy...Hope everyone is doing well out there. I'm sitting in a shelter, warm and mostly dry. It is raining outside now, glad that I am not still hiking. I also avoided the midday rain too, but well get to that part later.

Woke up and hit the trail pretty early. Figured that I'd run into Specs, Redman, Slapshot, and Twigs near the tenting area (they had passed by the shelter once I was already settled.) but when I strolled on by and got water they weren't around. I tried to figure out if they were ahead or not by the mudprints (not as crazy as it sounds!) but I didn't really see many fresh looking prints. Also I was clearing cobwebs, so maybe they slept in.

A couple of decent climbs in the morning leading up to White Rocks Cliffs

. I did take the side trail (.2 mi ugh) but it was definitely worth it. The most impressive cliffs thus far. 1000 feet more or less straight down (or it seemed like it) little scraggly trees clung to the rock face. Have you ever noticed that plants are not afraid of heights?

From there a long decent and then another climb. There were a whole bunch of shelters today and so I kept passing by those also looking for my buddies in the register. I think they are trying to ditch me :)

Ran into more nice southbounders, though they were just sectioners. Yesterday was the only time thus far that I've seen true SOBOs (Hit and Miss) since Spaz in the Smokies. That should change soon.

We had talked last night bout going to this restaurant 0.5 off the trail for lunch and to watch the world cup game. So I head there with 13 miles done already. The road walk is quick and I'm hungry :) the guys aren't there yet but I'm still about an hour before gametime. I ask the waitress if well be able to put the game on and everything is all set up!

Unfortunately they never do arrive, but I have a good time nonetheless eating a couple lunches (yes you read that right) and watching the game. Unfortunately the game was pretty sad, though fairly exciting. Also found out chile lost yesterday... Hopefully they can find a way to beat Brasil. Yeah right.

So I spend a total of 3.5 hours at the "Whistle Stop" before heading back to the trail with a full stomach (and empty heart...) and hike the final 7 miles up to this shelter

. There are many warnings about this place in the guidebooks, apparently the locals like to mess with hikers here. It being a rainy evening though, and they've closed the access road so I think it'll be cool.

Unfortunately because of the rain I am a bit wet. (but wait didn't you say you avoided the rain??) yes, I didn't get actively rained on but some of the stretches were through thick grassy fields which soaked my pants and feet. Hopefully they'll dry out a bit overnight, but that is a lot to ask.

The shelter has a beautiful stone fireplace but I can't really find much good dry wood, so I had a puny little fire to lift the spirits. Well, hope everyone is not too sad over the USA loss. Ghana certainly has our number. I'm still having a good time out here, but a lot of alone time lately and I'm looking to socialize more!! I'm also feeling ready to be done.

Realized today that I forgot to inform my fan club that I passed the 3/4 mark a few days back. Crazy. Also today I went under 500 mi to go. So my desires to be finished are coming at perhaps an appropriate time. I can't wait for the Nova Scotia vacation too, less than a month till that! Alright, time to sleep. Hope the bugs don't keep me up all night like yesterday.Donner

Comments

Ma
on Jun 27, 2010 at 06:50PM

So to hopefully keep you looking forward( yet don't forget to enjoy the present!)... I am getting pretty good at Thai cuisine so with fresh seafood in cape Breton(sadly, our gulf supply is in trouble) we should be combining some awesome cultures! Andrea is reading our waldorf cookbook(fond memories of our waldorf stay with Barb n Lindsey ) n made amazing , perfect eggs Benedict yesterday complete with the history of the dish. I put a sailing request in with Steph on the Santiago .. Bras d'Or lakes would be perfect ! (had a great chat with Mike yesterday , too bad we will miss Mimi n him by just 3 days). Broad cove concert is the day we arrive in st rose n Kathy(T) will be in Glendale n wants to hang out too ( and compare notes with you on machu pichu?we are wondering if we should rent a van since the M will be a tight fit but Stephen n I are not convinced , maybe we should tow the solstice behind for your gear ( and some fine convertible driving along the coastline!)... Anyway, we can't wait to pick you up after your shower and listen to your stories as we travel at speeds of 75 mph(100 if swc is behind the wheel). It will feel so foreign to you!We are all excited to join u again on the trail for some slack packer days so if you are finished by July 24?! What trail will we head for on our return thru Maine In august?! haha.Stephen is building that room upstairs inside the bonus room! Amazing! He wants to hang all your flags when he completes it... If that's ok. We need a UN size facility to hold all your flags! Its amazing how large that area is even with the new room framed in. He bought all the latest power tools n is so excited using them. We ' 'll need to call Larry in to inspect it ( or finish it if he runs out of time!)Miss u soooo much! Call again soon!Eva n Mo are getting along fine. Andrea is enjoying laying by the pool n the frozen drinks I serve her hahaha! She wants Stephen to go downtown Nashville but he's too busy working n being " bob the builder" in his spare time.